View source for Psalm 133/Notes/Phrasal.v. 1.66485

{{ExegeticalNote
|Layer=Phrasal
|VerseRange=v. 1
|Diagram=v-1-None
|Text='''v. 1a''' – The definite article on הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת indicates the specific song of the specific ascents of the pilgrims to Jerusalem, as consistent with the superscriptions of the entire collection of Pss 120-134.<ref>With the exception of Ps 121's שִׁ֗יר לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת, which, according to the Masoretic tradition, has a definite לַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת nonetheless, though an indefinite song.</ref> This may refer to the collection of songs performed by those returning from exile, which later became regular processional liturgy (as suggested by [https://www.sefaria.org/Radak_on_Psalms.120.1.1?lang=bi Radak]). Nevertheless, since the construct dependent is definite, the entire construct chain must be read as definite, thus ''The Song of the Ascents''. GKC<ref> GKC§127e.</ref> suggest this may originally have been the title of the entire collection, only subsequently added to the beginning of each psalm individually. Thus we could supply the idea of ''[One of] the song[s] of the Ascents'', or, preferably, ''[Belonging to] the Song of the Ascents''.<ref>Despite this, most modern translations provide A song of Ascents, or something similar.</ref>
}}